Page 25 of Hostile Holiday

Her father nodded. “We do.”

Her mother’s family stared at Orla, and she raised a brow. “I could move in and pull all your magic out while I learn to shop designer.”

The matriarch nodded. “We waive the right to her.”

Orla sighed and leaned back. “That feels nice.”

She wanted to twirl with freedom but sat with her hands folded together instead.

Hunter looked over at her and snorted. “So, that made you happy.”

“How do you know?”

“There is a coronet of stars marching around your head.” Hunter smiled. “Doing little loop-de-loops.”

Maven smiled. “It’s gorgeous. You are stunning. What happened to your hair?”

“Ah. When the curse broke, it was safe for me to drop the concealment Mom taught me before I could walk.” She shrugged. “This is me.”

Hunter smiled. “Not quite, but you are getting there.”

Orla looked at him. “What part of me am I missing?”

“We will work on locating it after the weekend.”

Olmin snorted.

Hunter sighed. “Be quiet.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You said enough.”

Orla looked at Hunter and cocked her head. “Ah, don’t worry about Olmin. Everything comes around to sex with him.”

Maven laughed. “He didn’t think you noticed.”

Orla shrugged. “I noticed. I just didn’t care.”

Argo paused, and then, he hooted with laughter.

The two family groups stood. “We will leave now, if we may.”

Her father paused. “May I contact you? Speak to you?”

“Certainly, but when you leave here, your memories will not remember why you were here. You will assume it has to do with the next ball or something. You are being asked to donate a magical family object.” As she spoke, her relatives began to sparkle, and then, they looked past her as they filed out.

Olmin smiled. “You are planning something for your original family?”

“Of course, and two of my mother’s family had a sly look on their faces. I also deleted the last five hours of activity off their phones.”

“How do you know how to do that?”

“It is the same spell my family uses to mess with script on invitations. I just applied it to technology. After I deal with the ogres, their memories will return.”

Hunter murmured, “You are not planning on dealing with them yourself, are you?”

“Um... I was. What are my options?”

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